1. People have always been wondering about Rafa's "injury" concerns. It had to be a combination of injury+confidence issues+gamesmanship. His most recent withdrawal confirms that confidence issues are definitely playing a huge role. Gamesmanship is also obvious from the ill-times MTOs, but I think confidence issues are bigger.

2. Djokovic has probably ruined his chance at GOAThood. Those 3 consecutive losses in slam finals really hurt his legacy and confidence. He will still certainly be the man to beat on clay for 2-3 more years, but I think he has lost the chance to pass Fed in slam count (and weeks at #1, etc).

BTW I think that this silent ban stuff is all nonsense. Athletes may dope or not dope, but a silent ban is impossible in this day and age.

1. People have always been wondering about Rafa's "injury" concerns. It had to be a combination of injury+confidence issues+gamesmanship. His most recent withdrawal confirms that confidence issues are definitely playing a huge role. Gamesmanship is also obvious from the ill-times MTOs, but I think confidence issues are bigger.

2. Djokovic has probably ruined his chance at GOAThood. Those 3 consecutive losses in slam finals really hurt his legacy and confidence. He will still certainly be the man to beat on clay for 2-3 more years, but I think he has lost the chance to pass Fed in slam count (and weeks at #1, etc).

BTW I think that this silent ban stuff is all nonsense. Athletes may dope or not dope, but a silent ban is impossible in this day and age.

I don't believe that at all. I don't think confidence and injury issues have anything to do with what is going on. Put Nadal on any court tomorrow and I would not bet against him.

You are saying he does not know he is not as seriously injured as he is letting on? Okay, sure. I am saying I don't believe in the seriousness of his injury thus I don't believe he will be in bad shape when he returns.

I definitely think the Wimbledon loss to Rosol destroyed Nadal's confidence and he doesn't seem to have much desire for the game anymore. The guy's young only 26, very wealthy he doesn't need to play tennis anymore he's won a ton of slams. I wonder if Nadal is going to end up like Borg and retire at a young age?

1. People have always been wondering about Rafa's "injury" concerns. It had to be a combination of injury+confidence issues+gamesmanship. His most recent withdrawal confirms that confidence issues are definitely playing a huge role. Gamesmanship is also obvious from the ill-times MTOs, but I think confidence issues are bigger.

Nadal is a lot weaker, mentally and physically, than most people have given him credit for.

Nadal is already the clay GOAT, nothing that Novak or anyone else can do about that. And BTW, Nadal has won all 4 slams , something that Novak is still chasing after...
+ only 4 players have won slams in the double digits in open era. If that's not goathood, I don't know what is.

Nadal is already the clay GOAT, nothing that Novak or anyone else can do about that. And BTW, Nadal has won all 4 slams , something that Novak is still chasing after...
+ only 4 players have won slams in the double digits in open era. If that's not goathood, I don't know what is.

I meant breaking into the Top 3 (or so). He surely is among the greatest to have played the game.

Nadal is already the clay GOAT, nothing that Novak or anyone else can do about that. And BTW, Nadal has won all 4 slams , something that Novak is still chasing after...
+ only 4 players have won slams in the double digits in open era. If that's not goathood, I don't know what is.

Nadal is already the clay GOAT, nothing that Novak or anyone else can do about that. And BTW, Nadal has won all 4 slams , something that Novak is still chasing after...
+ only 4 players have won slams in the double digits in open era. If that's not goathood, I don't know what is.

Maybe, some people still think it's Laver. It's up for debate. Clay goat is not.

Yes it is. Ralph has basically 6 real RGs, and even if you consider his 7 RGs, some people consider Borg as the better clay courter,if not its a tie. Borg didn't have the luxury to moonball weak 1HBH like Ralph so he had it much much harder to dominate at RG.

Ralph's 2011 RG has a big star on it,a widely acknowledged fact. Look as much as I like Ralph I can't quite crown him the clay GOAT cause that would be injustice to Borg,sorry.

Maybe, some people still think it's Laver. It's up for debate. Clay goat is not.

You have to be kidding me. Nobody cares about surface GOAT, it is overall GOAT that matters. And there is a debate amongst some people with respect to clay goat, some still think there is a debate between Nadal and Borg. I personally think Nadal has slightly surpassed Borg now, but it is close.

For overall GOAT, I don't believe in the GOAT concept but Federer is the closest to that moniker for sure and no, there really is no debate at this point.

You have to be kidding me. Nobody cares about surface GOAT, it is overall GOAT that matters. And there is a debate amongst some people with respect to clay goat, some still think there is a debate between Nadal and Borg. I personally think Nadal has slightly surpassed Borg now, but it is close.

For overall GOAT, I don't believe in the GOAT concept but Federer is the closest to that moniker for sure and no, there really is no debate at this point.

It's not just about overall achievements(titles won) but the style of play which is a genius never before seen. Fed has the full array of shots.

A silent ban is complete nonsense. If he was caught using banned chemicals he would have an outright ban. I agree that with his injuries and the elevated play at the top of the game I'm sure he has lost a lot of confidence.